A couple weeks had gone by since that celebration at the Penny and it was now mid-December and Oliver's Christmas party at his cabin was only a couple days away, on the weekend. Andy and Sam both loved the Holiday season and were thrilled to be having their first Christmas as husband and wife. Andy had put up decorations around their apartment and she and Sam were on their way to pick out a tree after shift.
There was a layer of snow on the ground from a moderate snow fall over night which, in Sam and Andy's shared opinion, was a perfect touch for the occasion. "Remember Sweetheart, we have to get a tree that we can get in to the apartment." Sam indicated the area of the lot devoted to the larger trees and said, "So I vote to avoid those trees."
"I suppose that's a reasonable request," Andy said. "But in that case, you'll be the one getting the tree inside. I'll supervise."
Sam chuckled, "Ah, the great art of compromise."
They grabbed each other's gloved hands and walked through the aisles looking at every tree. Andy wouldn't settle until she felt perfect about a tree. Sam expected nothing less.
The following morning Andy woke up and the smell of a pine tree out in the main room made her smile with glee. Sam was already up, probably out with Boo, Andy figured. However, when she got out to the main room, she found Sam had made coffee and set out the tree decorations.
"You've been busy this morning," Andy said as she accepted a mug of coffee, prepared the way she liked, from Sam.
"We got a lot to do today McNally." They both had the day off and had to decorate the tree and do some shopping. The downside of a Christmas party before Christmas was that one had to get gifts before it. Sam had always preferred to hold it off to the last couple days because shopping wasn't really his thing. But that wasn't an option this year.
Over a breakfast of a bacon and eggs skillet, they planned out the stores they would hit and what they needed to get for everyone. When they got back, they would decorate the tree.
"Let me check off the list one more time," Andy requested. "We've got Oliver and Celery-"
"Plus the scotch," Sam interrupted.
"Right, the scotch," Andy said as she scribbled it on to the list. "Moving on. Traci, Chris, Dov, and Chloe covered. Gail too, and Frankie."
"I think that's everybody that'll be there."
"I wish Oliver wouldn't be keeping this so secretive," Andy said. "What if someone else is invited and we don't have anything for them?"
"Then it's a good thing Christmas will still be a week away," Sam grinned.
"I'll just feel really bad if we get a gift and don't have one to give in return."
"If that happens, which I don't think it will, whoever it is will understand."
"If you say so. But just so you know, I'll blame you if I have to," Andy smiled.
"Fair enough," Sam consented.
"Alright, party list taken care of. Now the family one. Dad's taken care of, got a card for Sarah. Are you sure that's all we should send?"
"Andy, she's only going to send us a card. Until she and I patch our relationship up, that's the way it is."
"Okay," Andy sighed. "What about Marlo and Mia?"
"Card for Marlo," Sam supplied. Mia's getting a bunch of outfits, and the new play pen. That one with those play-mirror things hanging down from above. Also, working with Marlo to arrange a time for us to have Mia. Maybe Christmas Eve, not sure yet."
"Cool, I think that's everyone, right?"
Sam took note that Andy didn't resist only sending a card to Marlo, their relationship was still a little tense. "I can't think of anybody else. I'll wash these dishes while you get ready. Then we can get this over with," Sam teased.
The shopping wasn't as painful as Sam imagined it would be. Andy did most of the leg work, he just supplied the credit cards. The one thing he picked out was the Scotch. A bottle of Crown Royal Northern Harvest Rye. That would hit the spot. When they returned home later that afternoon Andy decided that they should wrap the gifts before they start in on the tree.
Sam, being the loyal husband he was, didn't object and got to work. However, his wrapping abilities weren't up to Andy's snuff so she soon re-assigned him to cutting the paper and handing her tape when she needed it.
A couple hours later all was wrapped and were separated into the party pile and the others.
"Alright, time for the tree," Andy declared.
"Perhaps after some dinner," Sam said pointing at the clock on the wall. Almost 8 o'clock. I took the liberty of ordering some Chinese while you were busy organizing everything. It should be here soon."
"Good thinking, I guess I lost track of time."
"Maybe just a bit," Sam held his thumb and forefinger barely apart. They sat back on the couch and Boo hopped up into an easy chair off to the side until the buzzer rang signaling the delivery man was there. Sam went down to meet him and returned with the food. After the dinner of chicken egg foo young and shrimp fired rice they got to work on the tree. Sam ran the garland and lights around the tree while Andy hung up the ornaments. She set aside the star for last and they placed it atop the tree together. Sam plugged the tree in and, miraculously, he couldn't spot a bulb that didn't light up.
He stepped back and admired the view. "Well McNally, I must say, you did a real fine job."
Andy had surveyed the whole tree a couple times for herself making sure everything was just right and had no choice but to concur. "You didn't do too bad yourself."
That Saturday, the night of the party had finally rolled around. Oliver arranged it so the platoon was working early, letting them head up to the cabin after shift and working late the next day so they could recover from the likely late night. Oliver had taken the whole day and he and Celery headed up to the cabin early to make sure all was in order. Right as they pulled up, Oliver received a text.
"Is that them?", Celery asked.
"Yep. Everything is on schedule."
"Perfect, you can finally stop worrying about slipping up and ruining the surprise."
"You think I was worrying?"
"I know you were."
Oliver chuckled, "Yeah I guess I was." He wrapped celery up and kissed her. As they walked up to the door Oliver asked, "Was I really letting it show that bad?"
"No, but I could tell."
"Maybe, since you are in on it you were worrying some too, huh?"
"Me? Worry?", Oliver made a 'pffft' sound then smiled and shook his head at Celery as he held the door open for her.
The food had been prepped, table set, Drinks displayed, gifts laid out, and decorations and entertainment set up by the time the first set of headlights swept across the front windows. Oliver opened the door and walked out on the porch to greet the arrivals. Chris, Dov, and Chloe, emerged from Diaz's truck. Chloe left the guys to get the gifts out of the truck and went up to greet Oliver.
"Looking good price," Oliver said as she approached.
Chloe laughed, she was bundled up in enough winter gear that her figure was completely unseen. "Thanks Staff, not looking to shabby yourself." They hugged and when Dov and Chris caught up with the bags of gifts and they all moved inside.
As the night carried on, Gail arrived with Frankie and finally Traci arrived with Sam and Andy who had given her a ride up.
"Hey Nash, nice to see you out in public again," Oliver teased.
"Thanks, Staff. It's on better terms this time." Traci moved through the room receiving hugs and greetings. She had been at the funeral but nobody had really gotten a chance to socialize or catch up.
"Let me take your coats," Oliver requested after he had already begun to remove the Swareks' coats. He disappeared with them into the guest room and Celery brought Traci's in. Back in the room, Oliver made announcements as if it were parade before lapsing back into his casual self. "Gifts go over by the tree. As many of you have already helped yourself to, the drinks are over there for your liking, speaking of…" He turned around to Sam who handed the bottle of Crown Royal over. "Not technically scotch but it'll do just fine," Oliver said. Please take a seat the food is ready to serve. Sam went over to the drinks and got one for him and Andy and then took his seat next to her and on the corner next to Oliver.
It wasn't until everyone was seated that Sam, and the rest of the party for that matter, seemed to notice the two additional chairs and place settings around the large table. Sam asked what was on everybody's mind. "Oliver? Did you miscount? It's okay, you know, if you did. Math can be hard." Everybody laughed, including Oliver, at his own expense."
"Well, as it so happens, I did not miscount." The guests all exchanged looks with one another.
"You're expecting two more?", Andy asked, her worries about not having enough gifts surfacing.
As if by fate, another pair of lights swept across the windows at the moment, accompanied soon after by two car doors closing.
"Yes, McNally, as a matter of fact we," he indicated himself and Celery, "are expecting two more guests."